Osteoarthritis is one of the most common chronic disorders that affect the joints.

This condition makes the cartilage wear away so that the joint bones rub against each other.

The rubbing gives rise to stiffness, swelling, pain, as well as limited ability to move.

What about knee osteoarthritis? The cartilage between the knee joints wears away and breaks down over time. This is often an irreversible and progressive degenerative process.

Luckily, there are various treatments for pain control and functional improvement.  Here’s what you need to know about knee osteoarthritis treatment options.

Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Options

There are many therapy options for knee osteoarthritis. They include alternative, physical, and occupational therapies.

Physical therapy involves exercises that condition knee joint muscles. Also, they improve joint flexibility and mobility. Occupational therapy concentrates on the management of normal activities. It refers to activities like walking, dressing, bathing, and so on.

Alternative therapies usually include relaxation treatments, massage, and hydrotherapy. Acupuncture can also be beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis. It can increase the mobility and function of the knee. Moreover, acupuncture can reduce OA symptoms and pain in the knee joint.

Yoga and Tai chi may also help people with moderate knee pain. They act as a movement therapy that combines deep breathing with gentle exercises. Apart from improving movement and reducing pain, many people use this treatment option to reduce stress.

In recent times, more and more people take advantage of:

• Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT)
• Radiowave therapy
• Lyftogt therapy

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, long-term disease. There is no definitive cure, but there are treatment plans available that utilize long-term pain management and inflammation reduction techniques. There are 4 main factors in managing this chronic condition:

• Managing pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercise
• Improving joint mobility and overall flexibility

We believe that proper pain management comes from identifying the source of the pain and taking a holistic healing approach to osteoarthritis. We use treatments such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, and natural injections to help naturally remedy the pain you are experiencing from osteoarthritis. In order to live a well-balanced life with this painful condition, a holistic approach that accounts for all of the factors mentioned above must be adopted.

For all instances of chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis, the best treatment option you can take for your short and long-term health is a holistic one, especially if your current treatment plan is unsuccessful.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

In the early stages of the disease, non-surgical methods can give good results. Aside from staving off the pain, these options can help you avoid knee surgery.

Lifestyle Changes & Healthy Habits

Lifestyle changes and healthy lifestyle habits can make all the difference. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising are the best ways to treat osteoarthritis. That said, people with osteoporosis should consider it.

That said, people with knee osteoporosis should:

• Get regular exercise
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid high-impact activities and find alternatives

Medications & Injections

Note that medications reduce the symptoms and pain rather than healing knee osteoarthritis. Do not take any medication on your own. Instead, discuss medication with your doctor. The doctor will consider different factors before prescribing medications. Those factors include the patient’s lifestyle, medical history, and severity of pain. The same goes for herbal supplements.

As for the mild pain, some over-the-counter options include:

• Analgesics such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others)
• NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Topical analgesics

When it comes to knee injections, the three most effective options include:

• Homeopathic injections. These injections are one of the best options for pain relief. They allow patients to get back to most of their favorite day-to-day activities.
• Placenta cell injections. With the help of these specialized cells, the patient’s body repairs itself. These injections don’t only give sustained pain relief. They also return joint functionality and mobility.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. In many patients, PRP injections can address knee osteoarthritis.

Additionally, there are also steroid injections and lubrication injections (hyaluronic acid injections).

Knee Surgery for Osteoarthritis

Most people with knee osteoarthritis do not need surgery. Sometimes, joint pain and symptoms are very severe and unbearable. If non-surgical methods didn’t give the desired results, surgery may be the only option. Have you exhausted all other treatment options? If so, it’s very likely that you are a good candidate for knee surgery.

The most effective surgical options for treating knee osteoarthritis are:

• Arthroscopic surgery
• Knee arthroscopy
• Knee arthroplasty
• Osteotomy
• Knee joint replacement

Seek Lasting Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis

Treatment for knee osteoarthritis combines a few therapies in most cases. Your doctor will make a treatment plan that works best for you. It should improve the quality of your life. After the treatment, you should maintain your everyday activities much easier. Make sure to see a specialist on time. Early treatment intervention can increase the chances of preserving joint function for years.

The most common form of arthritis that affects millions of patients each year, osteoarthritis which is a form of arthritis that directly affects cartilage and bones.

The condition occurs when the protective tissue at the ends of the bones wears down over time, causing less padding and more pain at many of the joints in your body. The most commonly affected areas include the hands, knees, hips, and spine.

Osteoarthritis’ process is irreversible once it begins, but the pain associated can be effectively managed. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help to reduce your risk for developing osteoarthritis and also help to slow down the process in those who are affected.

Causes

Osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects millions each year. The most common risk factors that have been shown to lead to development include:

• Old age. Natural bodily aging processes result in the breakdown of cartilage and important tissue used to maintain healthy joints.
• Obesity. Carrying extra body weight puts undue stress on your bones and joints, and the more you weigh, the greater your risk. Increased weight puts added stress on important weight-bearing joints, such as your hips and knees, and suppresses the secretion of important fluids used by joints. In addition, fat tissue produces proteins that may cause harmful inflammation in and around your joints.
• Genetics. Some patients may be born with a predisposition to unhealthy joints, due to hormones or any other natural factor.
• Bone deformities. Those born with deformities such as improperly formed joints and bones are at a greater risk of cartilage deterioration.

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis is a disease with a very slow onset. The cartilage around joints and bones may begin to deteriorate without any associated symptoms, and once pain sets in the condition may already be in a more advanced stage. Osteoarthritis can develop slowly for years, and result in:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Stiff joints
• Loss of Flexibility
• Bone Spurs
• Uncomfortable sensations around joints

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact us today to begin your path to natural wellness and healthy, drug-free pain management.